The Official Yamaha RX V663 Owners Thread

[Robmx]

Hey everyone just wanted to share after a fair amount of time and waiting I have decided on the receiver I want to buy. Yamaha RX V663..... Not a big fan of Onkyo.... and I have been waiting for more Yamaha receivers to offer HDMI 1.3 and DTS-HD and DOLBY-HD....

It meets my budget and gives me what i need for the future !

http://www.yamaha.com/yec/products/p...TE&VNM=WORKING

RX-V663BL 7.1-CHANNEL DIGITAL HOME THEATER RECEIVER
High-Performance Home Theater Receiver features full support for HD audio formats, HDMI video up-conversion and de-interlacing, iPod and Bluetooth audio compatibility, improved YPAO, Adaptive DRC (Dynamic Range Control), multi-zone custom installation facility, and four SCENE buttons.
MAIN FEATURES
High Sound Quality
HD Audio format support: Dolby Digital Plus, Dolby Digital TrueHD, DTS-HD High Resolution Audio and DTS-HD Master Audio
7-channel 665W powerful surround sound (95W x 7)
Digital ToP-ART and High Current Amplification
Pure Direct for higher fidelity sound reproduction
Burr-Brown 192kHz/24-bit DACs used in all channels
Assignable amplifiers for bi-amp connection
Advanced Features
4 SCENE buttons offering greater operating ease (with 18 preset SCENE templates)
XM ready with XM HD Surround powered by Neural Surround
SIRIUS Satellite Radio ready
Improved YPAO for automatic speaker setup
iPod compatibility via Yamaha Universal Dock
Bluetooth (A2DP) compatibility with Yamaha Bluetooth® Wireless Audio Receiver (YBA-10)
Superior multi-zone control compatibility
High Picture Quality
1080p-compatible HDMI (2 in/1 out)
Supports Deep Color (up to 36 bit), x.v.Color, a double speed Refresh Rates of 120Hz and 1080p/24Hz transmission, and Auto Lip-Sync compenzation
Analog video to HDMI digital video upconversion and deinterlacing with TBC

Surround Realism
• Fine-tuned CINEMA DSP and Adaptive DSP level
Improved Compressed Music Enhancer
Adaptive DRC (Dynamic Range Control)
Other Notable Features
XM Satellite Radio ready with XM HD Surround powered by Neural Surround
SIRIUS Satellite Radio ready
40-station preset tuning / Auto preset tuning
HD Audio LPCM 7.1-channel reception (up to 192kHz)
High dynamic power and Linear Damping
Low Jitter PLL Circuitry
Assignable amplifiers for bi-amp connection
Initial Volume and Maximum Volume Setting
iPod song titles displayed in English and Western European languages ISO 8859-1 (Latin 1) on the front panel and on-screen display
SILENT CINEMA and Virtual CINEMA DSP
Dialogue Lift for dialogue to screen center
Preout terminals for front, center, surround and surround back, and dual mono subwoofer out
9 selectable subwoofer crossover frequencies
Subwoofer phase select
8-channel or 6-channel external input
Speaker A, B, A+B selection
Preset remote unit

[ArkGuy]

Soooooo, speaking of Onkyo .... Would it seem fair to charactorize this model as something midway between the 605 and 705?

Two HDMI inputs and 95 watts but it has a preouts and the ipod display options described above.

Basically the same as the HTR-6160, I think.

MRSP of $550 but ElectronicWarehouse has it for $500

What else does it have over the 605 for the extra $100?

I could have sworn I read somewhere it hd a phono input but apparently not.

[prerich]

Originally Posted by ArkGuy

Soooooo, speaking of Onkyo .... Would it seem fair to charactorize this model as something midway between the 605 and 705?

Two HDMI inputs and 95 watts but it has a preouts and the ipod display options described above.

Basically the same as the HTR-6160, I think.

MRSP of $550 but ElectronicWarehouse has it for $500

What else does it have over the 605 for the extra $100?

I could have sworn I read somewhere it hd a phono input but apparently not.

The RV series are in another class (the HTR series being the lesser) - similar to the way Pioneer Elite is to regular Pioneer. Onkyo has placed its old quality into Integra (Radio Shack even sells Onkyo now). The sound quality is different - worth the extra $100.00 to me. But I am a biased Yamaha owner and fan.

[crackinhedz]

Certainly does look impressive.

I'd buy one over the Onkyo 605.

Originally Posted by ArkGuy

What else does it have over the 605 for the extra $100?

Burr-Brown DAC's for starters

[Alaskankaijudude]

Originally Posted by Robmx

Hey everyone just wanted to share after a fair amount of time and waiting I have decided on the receiver I want to buy. Yamaha RX V663..... Not a big fan of Onkyo.... and I have been waiting for more Yamaha receivers to offer HDMI 1.3 and DTS-HD and DOLBY-HD....

It meets my budget and gives me what i need for the future !

http://www.yamaha.com/yec/products/p...TE&VNM=WORKING

RX-V663BL 7.1-CHANNEL DIGITAL HOME THEATER RECEIVER
High-Performance Home Theater Receiver features full support for HD audio formats, HDMI video up-conversion and de-interlacing, iPod and Bluetooth audio compatibility, improved YPAO, Adaptive DRC (Dynamic Range Control), multi-zone custom installation facility, and four SCENE buttons.
MAIN FEATURES
High Sound Quality
HD Audio format support: Dolby Digital Plus, Dolby Digital TrueHD, DTS-HD High Resolution Audio and DTS-HD Master Audio
7-channel 665W powerful surround sound (95W x 7)
Digital ToP-ART and High Current Amplification
Pure Direct for higher fidelity sound reproduction
Burr-Brown 192kHz/24-bit DACs used in all channels
Assignable amplifiers for bi-amp connection
Advanced Features
4 SCENE buttons offering greater operating ease (with 18 preset SCENE templates)
XM ready with XM HD Surround powered by Neural Surround
SIRIUS Satellite Radio ready
Improved YPAO for automatic speaker setup
iPod compatibility via Yamaha Universal Dock
Bluetooth (A2DP) compatibility with Yamaha Bluetooth® Wireless Audio Receiver (YBA-10)
Superior multi-zone control compatibility
High Picture Quality
1080p-compatible HDMI (2 in/1 out)
Supports Deep Color (up to 36 bit), x.v.Color, a double speed Refresh Rates of 120Hz and 1080p/24Hz transmission, and Auto Lip-Sync compenzation
Analog video to HDMI digital video upconversion and deinterlacing with TBC

Surround Realism
• Fine-tuned CINEMA DSP and Adaptive DSP level
Improved Compressed Music Enhancer
Adaptive DRC (Dynamic Range Control)
Other Notable Features
XM Satellite Radio ready with XM HD Surround powered by Neural Surround
SIRIUS Satellite Radio ready
40-station preset tuning / Auto preset tuning
HD Audio LPCM 7.1-channel reception (up to 192kHz)
High dynamic power and Linear Damping
Low Jitter PLL Circuitry
Assignable amplifiers for bi-amp connection
Initial Volume and Maximum Volume Setting
iPod song titles displayed in English and Western European languages ISO 8859-1 (Latin 1) on the front panel and on-screen display
SILENT CINEMA and Virtual CINEMA DSP
Dialogue Lift for dialogue to screen center
Preout terminals for front, center, surround and surround back, and dual mono subwoofer out
9 selectable subwoofer crossover frequencies
Subwoofer phase select
8-channel or 6-channel external input
Speaker A, B, A+B selection
Preset remote unit

Sweet, I'm looking at the one that's one step up from this because I want the three HDMI inputs instead of two. These must be brand new, I thought the cheapest Yamaha that supported the HD audio formats was the RX-V1800. On a side unrelated note, for anybody who still has a dedicated CD player. Does using an optical cable make that much of a difference over the L/R analog cables? Thanxalot.

[Beta Man]

You can't compare receivers based on "specs" you have to audition them just like speakers. The cleaner the power, the better the sound.

[BStecke]

I was looking at this one as well . . . if I remember right it got some fairly poor reviews for its video processing, no decoding of TrueHD/DTS HDMA, and no analog to HDMI conversion.

[Alaskankaijudude]

Originally Posted by BStecke

I was looking at this one as well . . . if I remember right it got some fairly poor reviews for its video processing.

I would like to check those reviews, do you remember where they were? Thanx.

[Alaskankaijudude]

Originally Posted by BStecke

I was looking at this one as well . . . if I remember right it got some fairly poor reviews for its video processing, no decoding of TrueHD/DTS HDMA, and no analog to HDMI conversion.

It says in the specs that it does support TrueHD and DTS HDMA. Am I missing something here?

[gearyt]

Looks sweet to me... guess I will have to find one to listen to

[BStecke]

My apologies, the review regarding the video processing (and the receiver I was looking at) was for the 661. I was looking at the Cnet review regarding the TrueHD, etc. It says it only supports HDMI 1.2a, which, based on those specs, is not the case.

[Blu n Gold]

Originally Posted by BStecke

My apologies, the review regarding the video processing (and the receiver I was looking at) was for the 661. I was looking at the Cnet review regarding the TrueHD, etc. It says it only supports HDMI 1.2a, which, based on those specs, is not the case.

I have the RX-V661, I know it isn't the greatest receiver, but it can handle PCM tracks and I have yet to notice any video issues.

When I looked at the 663 specs, I got excited...real excited

[Robmx]

This is BRAND new and I haven't even seen it in stores yet as they are trying to clear out the RX - V661 model. I have been waiting for a Yamaha with the future decoders and HDMI 1.3 for less then $1000. Being in Canada I expect this receiver will be around $699 as that how much the 661 goes for here ! Im excited and can't wait to get it !

[ArkGuy]

Originally Posted by prerich

The RV series are in another class (the HTR series being the lesser) - similar to the way Pioneer Elite is to regular Pioneer. Onkyo has placed its old quality into Integra (Radio Shack even sells Onkyo now). The sound quality is different - worth the extra $100.00 to me. But I am a biased Yamaha owner and fan.

I'm sorry I didn't make myself clear. I was referring to the $100 difference between the projected street price of this unit for $500 vs. the Amazon (and others) price of $400 for the 605.

Both the 663 and the 6160 have, according to Yamaha's website, an MSRP of $550. THe specs seem the same except for showing the 6160 with an HD radio input, which appears to be a typo, and a rated difference of 10 watts / ch. An emerging view on AVS is that actual bench testing will show no difference in actual watts delivered. How or why some think that I don't remember.

[Moefiz]

I was set on the 605 but now after seeing this i might end up changing my mind.

How are Yamaha recivers compare to other model out there.

[BStecke]

I had a Yamaha receiver for about six years before I got my Pioneer. Never had any problems with it. One thing that's generally accepted about Yamaha is that they have more of a bright sound to them . . . which is why people generally don't recommend you pair them with Klipsch speakers, due to their horn design. I can vouch for this, as my Klipsch speakers were a little in your face at times, but my Pioneer has smoothed them out quite a bit.

Overall quality though, like I said, my old Yamaha never skipped a beat. They're a proven brand for receivers, I don't think you could possibly go wrong with it.

[dobyblue]

Originally Posted by prerich

The RV series are in another class (the HTR series being the lesser) - similar to the way Pioneer Elite is to regular Pioneer. Onkyo has placed its old quality into Integra (Radio Shack even sells Onkyo now). The sound quality is different - worth the extra $100.00 to me. But I am a biased Yamaha owner and fan.

In all benchmark tests the Onkyo's have bested the Pioneer Elite receivers for power supply.

The 805, 875 and 905 also have better DAC's than any of the Denon, Sony, Yamaha and Pioneer Elite receivers with the exception of the $5000 Denon 5308CI and $5000 Yamaha RX-Z11.

The 875 is rated at 140w/ch and pushed 128w/ch with all channels driven.
The Pioneer 94 is rated at 140w/ch but only pushes 100w/ch with all channels driven.

[Blu Falcon]

OP, nice set of features for the price. The RX-V663 is sure to be a success. I elected to go with the Yammy RX-V1800 instead.

[dialog_gvf]

Originally Posted by dobyblue

The 875 is rated at 140w/ch and pushed 128w/ch with all channels driven.
The Pioneer 94 is rated at 140w/ch but only pushes 100w/ch with all channels driven.

I just ordered an 875. The price is amazing for a Realta HQV equipped receiver.

I can't wait to see what that does with various video sources.

Gary

[dobyblue]

Originally Posted by dialog_gvf

I just ordered an 875. The price is amazing for a Realta HQV equipped receiver.

I can't wait to see what that does with various video sources.

Gary

It also has PCM1796 DAC's with 123dB of dynamic range and will convert DSD straight to analog with no PCM conversion.

Me thinks with Blu-ray audio you'll be pretty happy.